To raising Autism awareness and Acceptance, and battling negative stereotypes about Autism.
To advocate for the inclusion of Autistic people in the community.
To offer a forum to broadcast our stories and thoughts, and to help the messages of Autistic people and non-Austistic allies reach as many people as possible.

I want to be called an "Autistic" or an "Autistic Person", not a "Person With Autism"

I think that Autism is part of myself of who I am, I think I wouldn't be the same if I wasn't autistic.

I
don't define Autism as something universally negative, I think that in
addition to my identity, my gifts and strengths are entirely linked to
my Autism.

I
won't let anyone refute this aspect of my identity, my perception of
myself, I am the best person to define what happens inside me and who I
am.

I know all
the people on the Autism spectrum don't share all the same features that
I have, They are very diverse, some have very little in common with me,
as a lot of my friends on the autism spectrum say it "When you have met
only one person on the spectrum, you have met only one person."

these
variation don't have that much to do with the exact diagnosis I
received, Some people who have a different diagnosis than me have a lot
more in common with me than some people who share my diagnosis.

I also know that not all the people on the spectrum share my opinions.

And this doesn't have to be about their diagonosis or how much they have in common with me.

Some prefer to be called "Persons With Autism" others prefer others teminologies.

Some
don't see Autism as an important part of their identity at all, think
that they would be the sames, or even better if they weren't autistics.

Some hate their autism.

Some of those don't have the same definition of what constitue autism that I have, some have almost the same.

I don't contradict them.

When I recognize the right to self-definition, When I revendicate it for myself I revendicate it for them too.

It is not up to me to define what should be their experience of Autism.

Some
people will define as main characteristics of autism some
characteristics that for me are not part of it, and that I may not even
share, it is not up to me to contradict them on their experience and
self definition of Autism (but I can contradict them on the universality
of this experience of autism... and probably will if I am confident and
have enough emotional spoons this day!).

Some
people who share with me some characteristics that I think are core
parts of Autism, don't identify as on the autism spectrum...

As long as they say that they aren't autistics, they aren't, I don't have to contradict them.

Yes
"Autism spectrum disorder" (I loathe the word "disorder") IS a
diagnosis, But AUTISIC IS ALSO an Identity, I won't let proffessionals
have the right to define my identity, but I won't contradict those who
trusts proffessionals (and "experts") to define anything that has to do
with their diagnosis, this choice is also a part of their right to
self-definition.

I don't think that I contradicted myself on anything I said here.

I
am convinced that refusing to define Autism as an intrinsically
negative thing IS NOT THE SAME as to impy that everything is o.k.,
perfect angd happy for all autistic people, I know that a lot of
autistics people who, like me think of Autism as something positive or
neutral and/or as an important part of who they are, are living very
difficults or even horrible things (and in the worst cases are dying of
it).

I believe in
making a distiction between Autism in itself and the oppression that
autistic people experienced coming from society, and the lack of
accomodations for autistics people.

Some
people who agree with me on this political and social aspect, are part
of those who don't like their Autism (or hate it), or don't think it is a
full and important part of themselves, or even don't identify as
Autistics (or don't have any characteristics of Autism... I mean there
are also allies... and these political and social oppressions are a
problem for way more people than just autistics people, I think I am not
teaching you anything there... well at least I hope so.).

All this is not a contradiction, it's an application of the right to self-definition.

As an Autistic Person, I also consider myself as a disabled person.

I
prefer the "disabled person" terminology, I tolerate "handicapped" but I
personally hate "person with disability", please, never use it to
define me!

I
consider myself disabled according to the Social model of Disability
only*, I only accept this définition of being disabled (or maybe more
radical models!**).

In this domain too I believe in the right to Self-definition.

I
believe in Self-Definition for anybody, no matters the results of I.Q.
tests, the age or if the person is verbal or not***, even without using
speach or even words.

I had to express it.

If you want to know more about my opinions on this subject, and opinions of people I generally agree with, you can try my Autistics Speaking Day post of last year

(I
have to warn you, I could moderate comments, I am not doing very well
these times and this post express something I don't even want that much
to debate on)

* On the social model of Disability: you can read this and if you want a further explication of why I only accept this model try this Wonderful post!

If you have phobias, PTSD or are triggered by subjects, please see the Content Filter Lists page above to access safe options. If there is content that you feel needs to be under a Trigger Warning, please don't hesitate to inform us; we want ASDay to be as safe as possible for everyone.

Please note that while open discussion is encouraged, we have a no-tolerance policy. Any posts deemed to be bullying or using inappropriate language may be deleted. Please be polite and use good judgment when commenting, even if you have disagreeing views.Thank You